God restores ......

Mark 16:7“But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

The angel in the empty tomb, gave the women their marching orders and message. They were to go and tell His disciples that He was risen from the dead. But, you can see that there was special mention made of Peter. It's as if he said, now make sure you "tell Peter also, don't leave him out, let him know about Jesus etc"

The other part of the message to the disciples and Peter was that Jesus would meet with them up in the Galilee, just as He had said.

The compassion of the Lord towards those who have failed is evident here. Jesus wound up restoring Peter, and then using him as the first preacher in the Book of Acts, where 3000 came to salvation through his preaching.

Peter had denied Christ, during Jesus's darkest hours. Not once, but three times. He had a lapse of faith. It's not hard to imagine how Peter must have felt. Defeated, discouraged, hopeless, condemned and so on. I doubt he had any idea of what the Lord was going to do for him.

But, restoration to fellowship and to ministry is what the Lord does. He will take any person and restore them, and use them once again in service to God.

The reason for this restoration, is the compassion and the mercy of God. He is compassionate, He is full of mercy, and He forgives, and cleanses and blesses because of grace.

So, if you have failed the Lord in some way, don't be discouraged, and don't think there is no hope for you, because there is.

Father, for the discouraged person(s) who may be reading this today. May grace, mercy and peace come into their lives in abundance. Restore and renew them Lord. And give them hope and encouragement this day, and use them once again in ministry. In Jesus name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/promises.

1. His mercies never run out.

2. His mercies are new every morning.

3. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and see His grace today.

4. Let God wash and renew you this very day.

5. Oh how He loves you.

6. Leave your doubts, and by faith look to God.

Funny how we blame the Lord......but, it's true.

Proverbs 19:3 The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.

Here we see something about man, and what man can do to himself.

In fact, the truth contained in this verse is explained to us in great detail in the New Testament book of James.

The foolishness of man twists his way. In other words, it’s what’s in a man’s self that actually twists or troubles his own life. But, what he winds up doing is blaming the Lord for the troubles that he has brought on himself.

James 1, explains it clearly to us.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

James 1:15* Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

The Lord tells us here not to blame God as the source of our being tempted to sin. God Himself cannot be tempted, and He does not tempt anyone to sin.

The cause of temptation comes from within man himself. It’s when he is drawn away by his own lusts, or desires. And then, when he gives into those desires, that’s when he sins. And sin when it’s full grown or gone through it’s process if you will, brings death.

So, sin is the problem within man, and that’s why God sent Jesus Christ into the world. It was not to condemn man, but rather to save man. Sin came into the world through one man, Adam, and it’s been passed along to all men who have ever been born. Thus, we are born sinners.

But, we can be born again, ( this does not mean we will never sin, or never have problems with sin ) but, it does mean we have a new life in Christ, we are forgiven, set apart to God, purchased by Him, and made joint heirs with Christ.

And, it means that we can live a different kind of life then we lived before we were saved. We have God’s Holy Spirit in our lives, to be our strength, and to teach us the truth, to guide along the right way, the way of God, and find God’s help and victory day by day in our lives.

So, rather the blame God, we can thank Him for what He has done for us.

Thank You Father. You are the giver of good gifts, and You have given us salvation through faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. We are indebted to You, and could never ever pay You back for what You have done for us. Nor do You ask us to pay You back. But, You do call us to, call upon You and take the cup of salvation, that is to walk with You. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises.

1. God’s Word makes things clear to us.

2. God’s Word explains to us what things we need to know.

3. God helps us to get unconfused as it were.

4. God’s Holy Spirit is the one who really teaches us.

5. God also helps us by forgiving us, and giving us hope.

God is our justifier, and He came not to condemn, but to save

Proverbs 17:15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

A person can justify the wrong person. And a person can condemn the wrong person. In both cases, these people are an abomination to the Lord.

First of all, God does not condemn even wicked people, and thus there is no need to justify them. Only God can actually do that. But, what’s being said here, is called corruption. When a person who knowingly seeks to justify a wicked person and their behavior, it’s abominable to God. That is, it’s a disgusting thing to God. He abhors this kind of thing. He detests it.

And, when a person condemns another person who is just, that is also loathed by the Lord.

It seems like we feel just like the Lord does. For when we see a wicked person get off the hook in a courtroom, it’s terrible to us. We don’t like it. And, when we see someone be falsely accused and betrayed, we don’t like it either. God has put His laws and ways into our very hearts and inner beings.

Finally, here’s another perspective. God will take someone who is wicked, and bring them face to face with His love and His forgiveness, and if they will receive Jesus Christ, then they will be justified and saved. And, that’s a blessing to God and to any other person.

And, God knows the truth about any and all men, and ultimately vindicates those who have been dealt with in a treacherous way.

Lord, You are great, and we are not. You are holy, and want us to be more like You. Please comfort the afflicted. We praise You in Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. God is the loving justifier.

2. God is not the condemner.

3. God loves those who others condemn.

4. Let’s try to be more like God towards others.

5. There is a golden rule.

6. Let’s treat others the way we want to be treated.

What a man can dig up and sow......or build

Proverbs takes a bit of a turn around the 15th to 16th chapters.....that is, God’s wisdom and truth are not so much presented by way of contrast, but rather just more directly speaking the truth about life period.

Thus, as in these verses, you just have God’s truth given to us plainly and in a very straightforward manner. Here it is, and it’s dealing with one of the big big issues of life. Gossiping and spreading slander about others.

Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

The ungodly man is pictured as digging up evil, and then spreading it around. Interestingly, the Bible tells us that Satanic wisdom, is from below, and thus it’s dug up as it were, from the depths of hell. Once it’s dug and found, then it’s spread around, much like a man would throw a shovel full of dirt from the shovel.

Going on, the perverse or crooked man, also sows strife, or plants contention, and it can wind up separating the best of friends.

Love always builds up and unites, rather then separating. You can always judge a tree by it’s fruit, and the same applies to what’s coming out of a man’s life.

God has not called us to be diggers and spreaders of evil. But, lovers of God, and lovers of other people’s souls. Because that’s what He is, and that’s what He has done towards us. He loved us, and proved it at the cross.

Thank You Lord. Keep us from evil, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. We can look up to God, rather then dig up evil from below.

2. The tongue can cause alot of destruction.

3. The Holy Spirit can instruct our hearts to help our tongues.

4. We are going to sow something, let it be good and Godly.

5. Let’s be those who unite, not those who divide.

6. God’s wisdom is pure and peaceable.

7. God’s wisdom is full of mercy, just like God

He who is slow to anger, allays contention.

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

Again, the problem of anger and wrath are addressed. A man can do or act two different ways, and have two different outcomes or consequences.

A man can be wrathful and wind up stirring up strife. A man who is furious, raging, indignant, and has bottled up anger within himself, can be like poison and snake venom. It will bring nothing but strife, or contention, and discord.

But, when a man is slow to anger ( notice not a man who does not have anger ) but a man who is slow to anger, or who is exercising some self control, that man will allay the contention. That is, he will help to settle the matter, to appease the problem, to bring some peace, to help settle the disturbance, and bring quietness.

Proverbs really points out in a very direct way both God’s wisdom and man’s foolishness. And, continually reminds us that we cannot make it on our own. We need God’s help in our lives, in more ways then we even know.

It seems easier to find God’s help when we are face to face with our own problems and our own sins and weaknesses.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is our shepherd, and that He will lead us, and encourages us to follow. Following often starts with confession of our sins and turning in humility to God. He is there to receive us and to forgive us and to then lead us.

Father, what more can we say. How we need You. And, how thankful we are that we are not without hope in our lives, especially during times of sin, darkness and pain. We look to You.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. It’s good to remember, God’s Word is true.

2. It’s helpful to ask for help from God.

3. The Holy Spirit is called our helper.

4. May we become peacemakers, not trouble makers.

5. God is always ready to help a person when they are down.

6. When we are down, we can look up.

7. When we are down, we don’t have to give up.

8. God looks down on us with love and mercy.

P.S. One of the great blessings we have in Christ, is that God not only forgives us of our sins as we confess them to Him, but, He also promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Patience, and impulsiveness....and their effect....

Proverbs 14:29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

The man who is slow to wrath, slow means, longsuffering, and longwinded, and patient, and wrath, means, anger, has great understanding. Understanding means, right, well, fitted, and good, to be level, and to be smooth, as opposed to rough spots.

And, then in contrast to the man who is slow to wrath we are told that the person who is impulsive exalts folly. To be impulsive is of course to do something quickly and without thinking, and it leads to foolishenss.

A patient man has understanding, and an impulsive man brings foolishness.

In context, it’s not just talking about being an impulsive person ( though that does lead to foolishness ), but it’s talking about not controlling yourself when your angry, and just letting your anger out. It will come to no good end.

Anger in and of itself is not sinful, but it can lead us to sin. What we need when we are angry is self control. To control oneself in those moments of anger is indeed to have understanding, because we know what lack of self control can do.

Galatians 5:23, speaks of the self control being something the Holy Spirit gives to us.

Perhaps one of the best things we can do in moments of anger is to stop and pray within ourselves to the Lord. Easier said then done, but nonetheless the best course of action.

Father, how many times we need You, and Your power to help us with ourselves and our sins, and our problems. Thank You that You do not forsake us or abandon us, but rather are here and can be found in our times of need. We love You.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. Remember God does not condemn you for your failures.

2. He also forgives our sins when we confess them.

3. And, He wants to help us overcome our sins and failures.

4. He loves you.

5. He hears you when you call.

6. He will never leave you.

7. He is faithful to help us.

What makes the heart sick, or happy?

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

Here are told what can make the heart sick. If we are hoping for something, that is if we are waiting for it, if we are expecting it, and it is deferred, or dragged on, or prolonged, delayed, it can and will make us sick.

Sick here, means to become weak, wounded, sorry, and grieved.

When the thing we desire does not happen when we want it to, we can become filled with sorrow.

But, when the desire comes it is a tree of life. This is of course the other side of the proverbial coin. When the thing that we have been hoping for, and waiting for comes to pass, we are so blessed. This is the image the Lord gives us to describe what it's like within our hearts. It's like a tree of life within our souls and our minds.

This is one of those verses in the Bible, especially in Proverbs that just explains what really happens in life, and what can happen to us, both with sadness, and with gladness. It tells us what can make us sick and what can make us happy.

And, this verse also can help us to think through how we are dealing with the desires of our heart and life. And, what is the best way to deal with them, so as not to become sick and sad and grieved.

The Lord teaches us through His Word, to trust Him with our lives, our thoughts, our desires, hopes, etc, etc. To trust the Lord is to leave the outcome of all things with Him, in His hands, and to not try and force our way, but to let the Lord bring about His way in His time, and in His way.

There is certainly nothing wrong with having the desires have, but, we can avoid alot of heart sickness by surrendering those things to the Lord.

There is one desire that we have, and we will not be disappointed in. And, that is the fact that one day, we will see the Lord face to face, and be with Him forevermore.

Also, we can count on the fact, that the Lord in His wisdom and love, is indeed working all things together for our good. We often cannot see the good that is coming from what we call a bad situation. But, just because we can't see it, does not mean it isn't being worked for our good.

Lord, We thank You for the comfort we find in life through Your Word. It's so fitting for our lives, and our circumstances. Would You help us Lord to give ourselves to You, and do indeed surrender what we want, and trust Your wisdom, timing and plans.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/ Promises.

1. His ways are not our ways.

2. His ways are much better then our ways.

3. His ways are for our good, not our destruction.

4. His ways are explained to us in the Bible

5. His ways have to do with the right way.

6. His ways are shown to us through prayer.

7. His ways become our ways through grace.

8. His ways bless us more then our ways can.